Racing Club Warwick ready to fulfil potential

Having enjoyed his first pre-season without firefighting, Racing Club Warwick boss Michael Hayden says the club is now in the perfect shape to progress.

Major rebuilds have preceded Hayden’s three seasons at the helm at Townsend Meadow, but with a settled squad and a sprinkling of new faces, he can now look at the upper echelons of the Midland League Division One.

“The main thing for me is to become more competitive and not cost ourselves as many points through our own mistakes as last season,” said Hayden.

“We are still a young squad but we have the talent and towards the end of last season we started to fulfil the potential I know we have.

“It is my first season where I am not rebuilding a team and I am looking forward to seeing how far this team can go.”

Racing Club finished tenth last season, their highest league placing for ten years.

However, they missed out on a coveted FA Cup place by just nine points and Hayden says that disappointment will drive his team on this campaign.

“To just miss out was gutting and to be honest could have had a major impact on keeping everyone together.

“But the players themselves said it was our own mistakes that saw us fall short and it has made them more determined to not miss out on anything else.

“It has united the squad and has actually improved our morale and determination in games and training. It has brought us together and made us more of a tighter group.”

“With the new work around the ground, new changing rooms, training pitch and match-day kit the team are keen to prove their worth and reflect the progress made off the pitch by matching it on the pitch.”

Racers continued their pre-season campaign on Tuesday night with a 4-2 win at Alcester Town.

Jamie Smith headed the visitors in front in the fourth minute and went on to complete a hat-trick, with Wade Malley also on target.